An overwhelming majority of Canadians want MPs and senators to open their books to show the public how they are spending tax dollars, a new QMI Agency poll reveals.

The exclusive survey by Leger Marketing shows 88% of Canadians think detailed expense accounts of politicians should be open for deeper scrutiny. British Columbians, Quebecers and Maritimers feel most strongly in favour of greater accountability, while Ontarians, Albertans and people from the prairies were less likely to demand open books.

Right now, spending details of MPs and senators are not available to the public through access to information or published government reports, and are blocked from review by the Auditor General of Canada.

Lesli Martin, director of research for Leger, said consistently high numbers across the country reflect exceptionally strong sentiment on this issue.

"Canadians want transparency," she said. "They want to know what their politicians are spending their money on, and they're sick of tightening their own belts while they think that people are using their taxpayer money to enjoy their own lives and in ways that aren't necessarily wise."

In Ontario, 86% believe parliamentarians should open their expense accounts immediately, while 8% think they should be left to audit and review their own expenses. Across Alberta, 83% are demanding more financial oversight and 10% say leave it up to MPs and senators.

In Manitoba and Saskatchewan, 86% are in favour of opening up the books for scrutiny and 10% say leave them alone.

Canadians aged 35 years and older are more likely to want open books (93%) than younger Canadians. About 78% of people aged 18-34 feel that way.

Martin said a number of scandals in Britain and at home in Canada have likely fuelled strong public sentiment on the issue, and suspected there will likely be a "big backlash" to the decision by the Board of Internal Economy to refuse access to their detailed spending.

"It's not acceptable in this day and age. People want to be able to see what their money is being spent on," she said.

Last month Auditor General Sheila Fraser said a comprehensive review by her office of elected officials' expenses and other spending would enhance accountability and result in better practices.

"The combined houses of Parliament spend some $500 million a year. We think that it is important for accountability purposes that there be an audit done," she said.

The online poll surveyed 1,504 Canadians 18 years or older between May 10 and May 13, 2010, and is considered accurate to within 2.5%, 19 times out of 20.